COLUMBUS, Ohio — This weekend, the Columbus Crew will play their final game at Historic Crew Stadium, formerly known as “MAPFRE Stadium.”
But after that, the city of Columbus isn’t planning to let the old stadium turn into an eyesore.
Columbus Mayor Andre Ginther and city leaders gathered outside the team’s training facility, the “OhioHealth Perfromance Center,” Thursday to announce plans for a new sports complex.
“We’re so excited that the Crew has doubled down on their investment here,” said Ginther.
Ginther said the city is planning to commit $4 million in the upcoming capital budget for the design and engineering of the complex.
“The last thing we want to do was come together, build an incredible downtown site, and walk away from this, especially when 200,000 of our neighbors live within three miles from here.”
Long-time Columbus Crew Fan Eric Neal said he’s excited the first soccer-specific stadium ever built will be put to good use.
“It’s still in really good shape,” said Neal. “So the idea of preserving the history of it and making it useful is great.”
Neal also likes the idea that the surrounding Milo Grogan and Linden communities will continue to be supported, even when the team moves stadiums.
“They followed through on their promise to be apart of the community and do good things for the community so I think adding on the sports complex of that is a great thing and it’s going to be great for the people in the surrounding.”
The city of Columbus is asking for community input.
